Simpson Thacher Plans Dallas Office After Kirkland Hire

The Wall Street firm is expanding its Texas footprint to capture the state's growing corporate law market.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, a prominent Wall Street law firm, has announced plans to open a new office in Dallas, Texas. The expansion comes as the firm has hired David Nemecek, a partner from Kirkland & Ellis, to lead a new capital structure solutions practice. The Dallas office will be Simpson Thacher's second location in Texas, following the 2011 opening of an office in the state.

Why it matters

The move by Simpson Thacher reflects a broader trend of major law firms seeking to establish a presence in the rapidly growing North Texas legal market, which has seen an influx of corporate activity and talent. By opening a Dallas office, Simpson Thacher aims to better serve its existing clients in the region and attract new business.

The details

Simpson Thacher said the new Dallas office will be "aligned with the region's growing client, capital and talent base." The firm's expansion into Texas comes as it has hired Kirkland & Ellis partner David Nemecek to lead a newly formed capital structure solutions practice. The Dallas office will be Simpson Thacher's second location in the state, following the 2011 opening of an office in Texas.

  • Simpson Thacher announced plans to open the Dallas office on February 19, 2026.
  • The firm hired Kirkland & Ellis partner David Nemecek to lead its new capital structure solutions practice.

The players

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

A prominent Wall Street law firm that is expanding its footprint in Texas by opening a new office in Dallas.

David Nemecek

A partner at Kirkland & Ellis who has been hired by Simpson Thacher to lead the firm's new capital structure solutions practice.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The new Dallas office will be Simpson Thacher's second location in Texas, following the 2011 opening of an office in the state.

The takeaway

Simpson Thacher's decision to open a Dallas office reflects the growing importance of the North Texas legal market, as major law firms seek to establish a presence in the region to capture new business opportunities.